Picture Perfect: Part Two.

Here are a few more amazing pictures from our little family photo shoot with David Trotter of 8 Track Photography. For more images from our session, visit our flickr page. Enjoy!

Picture Perfect.

YES! I have been a lazy blogger as of late--well, actually not as lazy as much as really, really busy. No major anything going on--and, yes, there is still laundry to fold, dishes to wash and errands to run-- just busy with life, I guess--being a mom and wife and teacher of the little foodie feast workshop, etc. I haven't written anything cerebrally exciting or even stimulating. But, I will and soon. I promise.

In the meantime, until I get my mojo back, enjoy this beautiful sneak peek image from our little family photo session this past Thursday by photographer, David Trotter, at 8 Track Photography. We'll use one for our holiday card and the others will simply adorn every nook and cranny of our humble little abode.

He did an amazing, simply amazing job, yes? We love what we see so far!

API Article: "If You Love Sombody, Set Them Free"

Another one of my articles appears today on API Speaks, the Attachment Parenting International blog. It is a post that I wrote for this blog back in July, but it still rings oh-so-true today. The title is "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free" and you can find it on API Speaks here and on my blog here.

Enjoy!

You Know You're A Mama When . . .

--you try to use the car's auto door unlock controller to open the front door of the house.

--you find, while undressing your son for bath time, and eat a stray piece of fruit leather from this morning's snack that has stuck itself under his shirt and onto his chest.

--you wouldn't change a single thing.

My First "API Speaks" Contributor Post: "Doing The 'Right' Thing Is Never Easy"

As many of you already know, Dean and I subscribe to a gentle parenting philosophy called, Attachment Parenting. It's not that we stumbled upon these parenting principles one day and declared, "Ah! Now, that's the way we want to parent"--instead, we read them and thought "Here is a philosophy that has put into words the way that we already feel about parenting--and we will use it for support".

As such, I have often turned to the API blog, API Speaks, for support--to read of other families' struggles with the woes of parenting and to find comfort in knowing that we are not alone. Choosing alternative parenting methods like cloth diapering, wooden toys, co-sleeping, baby wearing, even breast feeding, etc. has resulted occasionally in judgments from family members, strangers and other mothers who don't. Wearily waking after a long and sleepless night to read a fellow mom's post about her own long and sleepless night--and her reminder of why it's important that we listen to and follow our instincts--helps.

So, for these reasons and so many more, I am very excited to announce that I will be joining the leagues of fellow API mama writers by regularly contributing to API Speaks, the API blog. I have not yet determined my ideal frequency of publication--once a week, twice a week, etc.--but I will at least be published there once a month. And, this morning, my first post has been published--click here to find it on API Speaks. It is a post that I wrote for this blog two weeks ago titled, "Doing The 'Right' Thing Is Never Easy".

Please, read, enjoy and visit often!

Happy Day,
Joni

Wordless Wednesday.

Banana Appeal.

Feeding Little Foodies House Calls.

Feeding Little Foodies is proud to announce that it's taking the show on the road--well, making house calls, that is.

If you are interested in taking a "Little Foodie Feast" or "Little Finger Feast" workshop but are having a hard time getting out of the front door with tot in tow these days, or would rather learn in the comfort and familiarity of your own kitchen--after all, that's where the magic is going to happen--then "Feeding Little Foodies House Calls" is for you!

Simply say the word and I'll come running on over to your place armed with all of the gear, fresh produce, spices, handouts, reference books, inspiration and information we'll need to whip up a batch of yummy puree or finger food for your little foodie-to-be.

Your private one-on-one session will include:

• cooking demonstration from start to finish
• sample menus
• sample recipes
• sample food introduction schedule
• food allergy guide
• tricks and tips for planning, making, spicing, storing and freezing
• gear overview (what you'll need)
• freshly prepared food for your wee one
• a list of additional references and informational sources
  

For further information about "Feeding Little Foodies House Calls", please e-mail me at: feedinglittlefoodies@gmail.com.

Happy Feeding,
Joni :)

Feeding My Little Foodie: Roasted Spiced Pumpkin and Pears.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love fall--it's my favorite season. I especially love nature's culinary bounty--it's aplenty with home cooked goodness--baking, roasting, spices, sage, creamy, brothy, aromatic goodness. I love fall.

This past weekend I glazed fall up and put it in my oven. For the most decadently glazed pumpkin recipe you'll ever tickle your tastebuds with, go here. Enjoy. Noah did.

Happy Halloween!

You Crazy Animals!

Halloween festivities are quickly wrapping up. Though our ghoulishly grueling party schedule has all but drained the life from us, we'll rise from the dead for one last haunt. Let's hope that Noah Finn's suit o' cephlapod lasts through tomorrow's spooktacular trick-or-treating frolic and feasting fest.

Some friends from this week:
Felix, the Meerkat
Ainsley, the Lion
Noah Finn, the Organic Octopus
Nico, the Insomniac